Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Constancy," by Joseph Brodsky, engages with complex ideas around the notions of home, memory, and the human condition against the larger backdrop of evolutionary history. The poem delves into existential themes, dissecting the concept of 'constancy' as both a physical and mental state. It posits that staying true to oneself or one's environment is not so much about adapting to new circumstances but about the immutable core of one's being-a core built out of memories and past experiences.

The poem begins with a straightforward definition of constancy as the "evolution of one's living quarters into a thought," transforming physical spaces into cognitive frameworks. Brodsky interestingly juxtaposes geometrical shapes like a "parallelogram or a rectangle" with human emotions and cognition, invoking the strategic thoughts of military theorist Clausewitz to suggest that life is an extended struggle to define and defend our 'territory,' be it physical or mental.

The interior described-complete with "a lampshade," "an armoire in the 'Slavic Glory' fashion," "four studded chairs," "a sofa," "a bed," and "a bedside table"-is not just a mere setting. It represents a condensed universe of memories and culture, "shrunken to the size of a brain-cell parlor." This encapsulated world acts as a sanctuary, fortified like "a kremlin" or a bustling microcosm like "Manhattan," reinforcing the idea of 'home' as both a place and a state of mind.

"To die, to abandon a family, to go away for good, to change hemispheres," are not just literal actions but metaphors for drastic shifts in perspective, life circumstances, or values. Regardless of these shifts, the "gray cell"-our core being-will insist on its "actual measurements," requiring "daily sacrifice" from whatever new environment or condition we find ourselves in. It is as if our inner world seeks to imprint itself upon external reality.

The poem takes an unexpected turn toward the evolutionary with the lines, "Evolution is not a species' adjustment to a new environment but one's memories' triumph over reality." It reverses conventional wisdom, suggesting that evolution is not about adaptation to external conditions but about the persistence of internal, subjective experiences. This is underlined by the poignant images of an "ichthyosaurus pining for the amoeba," invoking the long arc of evolutionary history only to point out that even the most advanced beings may long for simpler, original states.

The concluding image of "mussel shells, tightly shut for the night" carries an ambiguity. Are these shells 'homes' in a fundamental sense, or are they fortresses that guard "spineless, soggy, pearl-shrouding contents"-our fragile, invaluable inner selves?

"Constancy" is a dense, thought-provoking piece that seamlessly integrates geometrical shapes, furniture, historical allusions, and evolutionary biology to dissect the human condition. It compellingly argues that constancy is not about our ability to adapt but about the indelible marks that our past leaves upon us, marks that we in turn struggle to imprint upon an ever-changing world.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...